Cochran, Georgia – On May 25, 2016, the GBI secured an adult murder warrant on a second individual in connection with the shooting death of Dantay Ates.   On June 1, 2016, a 14 year old juvenile was taken into custody in Alabama on the warrant and is being held at an area (Anniston, AL) juvenile detention facility pending return to Bleckley County, GA.

On May 25, 2016, officers from the Cochran Police Department and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agents arrested 17 year old Willie Whitehead at his residence on 183 N. 6th Street in Cochran, GA.  Whitehead has been charged with one count of Murder in connection with the May 20th shooting death of Dantay Ates.  Ates was shot to death on 6th Street in Cochran as he went to discuss the theft of a four wheeler with persons in the area.  The investigation was conducted by the Cochran Police Department and GBI with assistance from the Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office.

This investigation remains active and ongoing.  Upon completion, it will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.  Anyone with information is urged to contact Cochran Police Department at (478) 934-4282 or GBI’s Eastman Office at (478) 374-6988.

Contact Information:

Scott Whitley; 478-374-6988